Prefabricated wall panel with tongue and groove construction

Abstract

A prefabricated wall panel has a precast body including at least one decorative design element. In addition, the wall panel includes a mounting element having a first end embedded in the precast body and a second end projecting from the precast body. A groove is formed between the precast body and the second end of the mounting element along a first edge of the precast body. A tongue is formed along a second edge of the precast body opposite the first edge. The tongue and groove cooperate to allow prefabricated wall panels to be more easily installed on a support substrate.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A panel comprising:
 a body comprising a front surface that includes a design element and a rear surface, the body having a bottom edge and a top edge, wherein the body comprises concrete; and 
 a mounting element formed of metal and projecting from the body, the mounting element comprising a first end portion extending above the top edge of the body and a second end portion embedded within the body, 
 wherein the first end portion of the mounting element comprises a plurality of protrusions in the form of dimples spaced along a length of the first end portion and configured to provide spacing between adjacent dimples, each dimple configured to receive a corresponding nail or fastener and having a diameter configured to receive a head of each corresponding nail or fastener; 
 wherein the dimples serve as a set back feature configured to provide spacing between the rear surface of the body and a supporting wall on which the panel is configured to be installed. 
 
     
     
       2. The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion, the second end portion, or both, of the mounting element extends parallel to a plane that includes the rear surface. 
     
     
       3. The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting element comprises openings configured to allow water to pass therethrough. 
     
     
       4. The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting element further comprises a plurality of keying holes spaced along a length of the body. 
     
     
       5. The panel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the mounting element comprises a transition portion that extends between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first portion extends within a first plane and includes the plurality of protrusions, the second end portion extends within a second plane, and the transition portion extends within a third plane, and 
 the third plane intersects the first and second planes at an angle. 
 
     
     
       6. The panel of  claim 5 , wherein an opening is defined in the transition portion. 
     
     
       7. The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting element comprises a tab portion projecting from an edge of the body and configured to be received in a slot of another panel mounted on the supporting wall relatively adjacent thereto. 
     
     
       8. The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the dimples are arranged in a single row of at least four dimples spaced along the length of the first end portion of the mounting element. 
     
     
       9. The panel of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the mounting element surrounding each dimple is planar.